U.S. to Shift Drone Command

Mounting Criticism Sparks Push to Move Lethal Program to Military From CIA

By

Siobhan Gorman,

Adam Entous and

Julian E. Barnes

Updated March 20, 2013 7:56 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON—The White House is working to shift control of the Central Intelligence Agency's lethal drone program to the military, U.S. officials say, a move that redefines the widely contested campaign that targets suspected terrorists.

The new directive is intended to shift the covert drone program to one that is subject to international laws of war and undertaken with the consent of host governments.